Disabling ABS

[evotech]

Please try to hold back on lectures about why I should not disable my ABS system. I am simply looking to run a test to compare driving with and without ABS functioning on my coach. Attached in a picture of the fuse panel in one of my rear compartments. I would assume that pulling the 25 amp power fuse would be the way to do this and leave the other fuses in place? Thanks in advance. Coach is a 2003 DP Monaco on a roadmaster chassis.

[twinboat]

No lecture here.

You could just unplug a wheel sensor and the system will fault out.

You do know that ABS only activates during partial skidding conditions.

It does not effect normal braking.

[evotech]

Originally Posted by twinboat

No lecture here.

It does not effect normal braking.

Thanks. It does not effect normal braking unless there is a problem in the system that I am trying to isolate. I should have included that. Thanks for the reply.

[wa8yxm]

I should think pulling the fuse will do the job.. There are a few other things you could disconnect

On some models of GM products simply holding the brake pedal depressed during startup does the job but I doubt yours is one of those.

[Ray,IN]

What exactly is the problem? I've had the dash ABS light stay on. A friend told me to use my power washer to spray the ABS rotors, it turned off the dash light by removing road dirt from the rotor. ABS Brake Light On - What Does it Mean
Not so lucky with DW's Jeep. Mechanic said computer module is bad = $700 + labor; OR, I could ignore the light and drive without ABS, just like I did prior to them being invented. We chose the latter.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by twinboat

No lecture here.

You could just unplug a wheel sensor and the system will fault out.

You do know that ABS only activates during partial skidding conditions.

It does not effect normal braking.

Partial skidding conditions?

I've had my ABS activate on my 2004 Monaco La Palma three times. Every time it was dry pavement and at about 55 mph when people cut in front of me trying to take an exit from the freeway. Two times were at the same exit in Sacramento...I change lanes when I go through there now.

I never had a skidding condition so I'm not sure what you mean.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Partial skidding conditions?

I've had my ABS activate on my 2004 Monaco La Palma three times. Every time it was dry pavement and at about 55 mph when people cut in front of me trying to take an exit from the freeway. Two times were at the same exit in Sacramento...I change lanes when I go through there now.

I never had a skidding condition so I'm not sure what you mean.

Try your panic stop without ABS.

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is an automobile safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to maintain tractive contact with the road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Try your panic stop without ABS.

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is an automobile safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to maintain tractive contact with the road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding.

I've been driving since the early 60's and am familiar with panic stops before ABS came along. I'd never be without it.

[Gary RVRoamer]

ABS is not just for slippery roads - hard braking can produce a skid condition on dry pavement. A "skid" occurs anytime the brake locks the wheel sufficiently to stop it from spinning while the vehicle continues to move. If the chassis is moving but the ABS detects that the wheels have [nearly] stopped turning, it adjust the brake pressure downward to avoid a lock-up and skid.

ABS has no effect whatsoever if the wheel speed is not nearing the lock-up condition.

[evotech]

Thanks for all the help. With the fuse removed, my problem disappeared. Despite their being no trouble code or ABS light in slow speed stop and go my brakes would get very funny in a scary way. May need an ABS module, but for now I am perfectly comfortable driving without it.

[twinboat]

Wow, ran across that problem when air brake antilock first came out, way back when.

We had 4 Ford, 6 wheel rear load garbage trucks. When they acted up the air would keep poping off at the module as you rolled along.

Ford's fix was to cut the feed wire to the module and change the brake shoes. The anti lock shoes had a higher friction block, making lock up skids to easy.

[tderonne]

I had a truck with ABS that acted funny as it came to a stop. The steering knuckles were rusty, that lifted the ABS sensors away from the tone wheel. They worked fine, except at low speeds. They didn't read any speed below about 3 MPH. As you came to a stop, as you dropped below 3 MPH, it thought the wheels locked and the ABS would release that wheel. Made it buzz and pull towards the side that wasn't acting up. You'd be able to find a condition like that with a scan tool that can read all the speed sensors.

It is also worth noting that modern ABS systems do more than keep the wheels from locking. They do traction control, stability control, and brake proportioning. Probably not doing traction or stability control on a 2003 coach, but it might have active proportioning. With fuses pulled, it will default to a set proportioning that may or may not be what you need for a particular stop. Just something to remember if you get into a panic situation.

[twinboat]

That brings this to mind.

To the OP, did you ever check your wheel bearing end play.

A loose wheel bearing on any wheel could confuse the wheel sensor, like the last poster mentioned.

Something worth checking.

[Gary RVRoamer]

With the fuse removed, my problem disappeared. Despite their being no trouble code or ABS light in slow speed stop and go my brakes would get very funny in a scary way. May need an ABS module,

I would be inclined to look at wheel sensors first. An erroneous report from a wheel that it was about to lock-up would trigger the ABS into action.

Most anybody over 40 has probably driven non-ABS vehicles for many a year.